La Fete des Lumières

Right, I'm going to keep on top of this whole blogging business from now until about...ooh, next week I expect! There are a few things that have happened that I feel I should share with the world, as I'm only going to get to see/do them for the first time once! The first of these being the Fete des Lumieres, which happens from the 5th to the 8th of December every year, and is unique to Lyon. Basically, the whole city is illuminated, and as far as my experience tells me, it's pretty much the start of the Christmas festivities for the city.

Now, excuse me for a minute whilst I talk history, for anyone that cares! Basically, Lyon was struck by the plague, well, a long time ago, and as the French at the time were a Catholic lot (none of this liberty, equality, fraternity stuff going on) so naturally, they prayed to the Virgin Mary to save the city from everyone dying of the plague. So, when the city was actually saved from the plague, they decided to make a festival for it, hence the light festival that takes place in December. History lesson over!

So, I didn't really know what to expect, after all, how amazing can a light festival be?! Well, in fact it was really fantastic. They had put up a big ferris wheel (kind of like the London Eye, but smaller and more ferris wheel than 'pods'), which went in one of the main places in the city, Place Bellecour. Voici, un photo!

As you can imagine, this festival is pretty important for the city, and particularly for the tourists! I have never seen the city so busy! It was really good to add to the atmosphere, though for those of us living there, it was quite frustrating trying to make your way round places that are normally fairly calm! So, the first night was opening night, and not really knowing what to expect, I went out with some fellow English people and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. The opening 'ceremony' started, and there were a few fireworks, a tightrope walker and other 'circus' gymnasts. To be honest, we didn't have the best view, but it looked pretty impressive, if a bit random for a light festival! We were all eager to fit as much in as we could, as it could well be our only time here, so making the most of it was essential. After watching that, we decided to head up to Place des Terreaux, which we heard was a must for the festival, and there seemed to be a lot of people heading that way. We got to see all the Christmas lights en route, and they too were pretty special as Christmas lights go.

At Terreaux we couldn't believe our eyes. When some pensioners asked me what the crowd we were in was heading towards, all I could say was 'I don't know!' Well, here was a show! Basically, there was a light and sound show going on all around us, round the Hotel de Ville (town hall type thing), and Palais St Pierre (containing a huge art museum). The show was based on the fact that 'temps' in French means both time and weather, so there was a big metronome going throughout the whole thing, but the moving images were more weather related. It really was a sight, and I don't quite know how to describe it without it sounding a bit weird! So here's another photo instead!

The second day we decided to do things we hadn't done before, so started at Fourvière, a basilica on top of a hill which has rather become an emblem of the city itself. On top of the hill (probably the most religious focussed part of the city), they had written 'Merci Marie' in lights, as a particular thank you to the Virgin Mary. They's also put light onto the white of the building itself, which made it look really pretty. After that we headed down for the fireworks that were due to happen. We were fairly cold at this point, but were determined to see it through. They were some impressive fireworks! Must have cost a lot of money, but they were amazing!

On the final day, it was just me and Aisling, and we decided to go to Vieux Lyon, the old part of the city. On the last day, many residents put candles in their windows as a special thank you, and people walk up the (big) hill from the Cathedral to Fourvière. After watching another amazing light show on the Cathedral, which was about the building of it, we saw people lighting candles and making their way up the hill. I was almost tempted to join them, but didn't feel like it, and wasn't sure it was really my place to, as I'm not lyonnaise, so don't have a lot to thank Mary for!

It really was a magical festival. I've probably bored you all to death with it all, but hey, I didn't ask you to read it! The festival really kick started my whole Christmas, and the fact that my computer had just stopped working when it was on almost didn't matter, even if I did whinge about it the whole time. Sorry guys!
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A fresh start?

Once again, I need a swift kick up the backside, as it has been faaar too long since I wrote on this blog. I apologise. Since I last wrote, I have had my birthday to tell you about, my computer breaking and leaving me stranded, Christmas, the return back and whatever has happened since.

In short, for my birthday, me and my friend Aisling, spent the day around Lyon, generally enjoying ourselves, followed by a bottle of wine, pizza and a film. Sounds a bit tame, but was just what I needed as the next day my friend Rachel B decided to arrive after spontaneously deciding to a week before. I showed her all the sights and, of course, a few french bars. It was lovely, and I am eternally grateful for her coming to visit, it really made my 21st birthday. In December the main, and most annoying news, was that after having sent off a piece of work, my computer charger broke, leaving me laptopless, bored, and I even had to resort to buying a radio. I recovered from it, I now have a charger, and feel much better knowing that there is life beyond Facebook! At Christmas, I went home, and had a lovely family Christmas, it was so good to be back in England! I had an unbirthday celebration with all the bestest friends I could ever ask for, as we went out for a meal and then a few drinks. Once again, thank you soooo much to Rachel B for that. She's so good to me! New years was awesome too. All of us, at the legendary Wunderbar, with many a cider and a general good feeling. I appreciated this evening so much, as I truly felt at home. I also went to Southampton to see all my lovely friends there, and to wish my friend Dave a very happy 21st birthday. We went to Laserquest, which was a laugh, and had a few drinks. It was genuinely awesome, and once again, I felt like I'd never left. This made coming back that much harder, because I had no reason to leave home when I felt so comfortable with all the people there. However, I am no quitter, and came back all the same! Another Sotonian student has arrived this semester, and has moved into my building, which is really good. I no longer feel so alone here. Thanks Andy! Since then, Lyon has been pretty much the same as always. I have had to say goodbye to some dear friends I met in an Erasmus class last semester though. They were here only a semester, so they have, unfortunately, had to leave. All of them seem keen on improving their English though, so I have told them that they all have to come to England!!!

Since then, I have had somewhat of an epiphany. I am in France. There are lots of places in France. I should endeavour to see more of them!

Yes, I love Lyon, and it is a truly great city, but now that I only have lectures on a Wednesday, the rest of the week becomes somewhat dull. It's great that I don't have much to do, but it does mean that I also have to motivate myself to do things, which is a struggle. I do have a project to do, but 6 days a week is a bit much for that, and I do find the weeks, especially weekends, to drag a little, and living alone isn't helping this. So, the task I have assigned to myself is to try and see as much as I can of this beautiful country, as I am hardly making the most of it sitting in a room in Lyon trying to think of something witty to say about the very little I have done this week. I have done so many touristy things here, and I think it's about time I became a tourist. Last semester was about settling in, and I have decided that this semester is about enjoying myself! So, I am starting with a trip to see a good friend from Southampton, Katharine, who is in Carcassonne (south of Lyon, not far from Toulouse if that means anything to anyone). I am going there this weekend, and I am really looking forward to it. There are other places in the pipeline, and at the moment, I'm not even bothered if I have to go on my own, but obviously, if anyone wants to join me then they are absolutely welcome to! I can't wait to get out and see some of this place. It will be great.

My sister, Anna, also got engaged recently, congratulations for the millionth time! She is planning her wedding for September and has asked me to be a bridesmaid! Yay! So, coupled with the need for structure, and the fact that I have to get into a pretty dress in about 8 months time, I have decided to try a bit of an eat healthy/actually be active drive. Who knows how long it will last, but hopefully writing it here for all to see will provide some motivation!

So, I think that's it for the update at the moment. There are a few things left to tell you all, but I don't wish to bombard you now!
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